04 May FAQ – When Should I Get a Hearing Test?
Audiologists recommend that by age 40 a hearing test should be part of our overall health and wellness routine. It is important to establish where your hearing levels measure, often called a base-line test, which allows future changes to be monitored. After your initial test, your audiologist will recommend how often you should follow up with regular evaluations. Often, every 3 years is a standard for those in their 40’s, but that would change to every 1-2 years as we enter our 50’s and 60’s. More frequent testing is needed because hearing changes occur as we age, called presbycusis or age-related hearing loss.
Your audiologist will also make recommendations based on your lifestyle (do you wear ear protection when driving your motorcycle or lawn tractor), your occupation (RCMP, police, military) and based on other health factors that are often linked to hearing loss (diabetes, heart disease or cancer treatments). Follow those recommendations as to when re-testing should occur. Your audiologist is the best person to assess your hearing health and advise when intervention should happen.
If you suspect you, or a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss, consider these questions:
- Do you often ask people to repeat themselves?
- Does it seem as though others are mumbling when they speak to you?
- Do you have difficulty following conversations in a group?
- Do you find it difficult to understand conversation when there is background noise?
- Do you turn up the TV or radio louder than others prefer?
- Do you find it difficult to identify from which direction sounds are coming from?
- Do you have difficulty hearing when your back is turned away from the speaker?
- Do you have any ringing in your ears?
- Do you often answering inappropriately or feel you are left out of a conversation?
If any of these signs apply, chances are you may have a hearing loss and should have your hearing tested by a qualified audiologist. Of course, age 40 is recommended as a guideline in healthy adults but if at any age you suspect hearing loss or have any of the signs listed above, if you’ve had an accident or experienced a sudden drop in hearing, please call right away and see your audiologist.
A hearing test is quick and easy, it’s pain free (no needles!) and you get your results right away. Of all the health tests and checkups we need in life, a hearing test will help maintain your ability to actively communicate and participate in your day to day life and keep you connected to those you love.
May is Hearing Health Month – Take our Hearing Check Challenge! Simply call us at 902-482-2222 and book your FREE Hearing Test today!